Mahesh Bhatt to direct daughter Alia for the first time

Following days of speculation, it has finally been confirmed that Mahesh Bhatt will once again be assuming the director’s seat for the sequel of his superhit film Sadak.

The original film starred Bhatt’s elder daughter Pooja Bhatt in the lead along with Sanjay Dutt.

The teaser of the sequel which was released on Thursday, Mahesh’s 70th birthday, has revealed that the film will star his daughters Pooja and Alia and Sanjay Dutt and Aditya Roy Kapur as the male leads.

This will be Alia’s first project with her father and comes almost 6 years after her Bollywood debut.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Alia wrote, “On your 70th Birthday you have given me the greatest present I could ask and dream for. You are directing me! Sadak 2 is a dream come true. What I thought will never be possible you have made possible. Thank you daddy from the bottom of my heart, soul and bones.This will be a journey of discovery.. Of life, movies, feeling and most of all.. Of a father and daughter. I love you my not-so-old man! Happy Birthday.”

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Mahesh shared that casting Alia in the film was Sanjay, Mukesh and Pooja’s idea.

He continued, “Alia is a difficult cookie to crack because she only responds with her heart; she’s very clear about whether she wants to embrace it wholeheartedly or say no. Honestly, she doesn’t have to say yes and prove anything vis-à-vis our relationship; I also wouldn’t belittle our relationship by putting this burden on her. We gave a full narration to her and by the end of it; she was left shaking and crying. That was one hell of a triumph.”

Pooja, who played a girl being forced into sex trade in the original also shared her excitement on social media writing, “And he’s back! To breathe new life into our souls and to breathe more soul into our lives. I thought birthdays were about receiving presents Pops and there you go and turn that on it’s head by giving us a gift instead-the gift of Sadak 2 and the privilege of being directed by you. Shukriya!”

And he’s back!To breathe new life into our souls & to breathe more soul into our lives.I thought b’days were about receiving presents Pops & there you go and turn that on it’s head by giving us a gift instead-the gift of Sadak2 & the privilege of being directed by you. Shukriya! pic.twitter.com/A3xZNTtvi8